St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-04
THE GOLDEN CALF.
London Life.
Hes the incarnation of fat divi-

Hes the incarnation of fat divi-
dends."
''IS he so very rich?'
"Rolling in mOney-might buy up
half the city, they say"
"And really, now come to look at
him, not bad looking man." murmured
the countess, focusing the gentleman
under discussion with very effective
double eyeglaSS.
Geraldine, my love. that is Mr.. OPP
timus Codd over there in the doorway"
The beautiful Geraldine turned a very
naughty head and gave scornful little
laugh.
''And who, pray, mamma, is Mr.. OPP
timus Codd?'
The young man standing between the
two ladies looked steadily at the beauti-
full young lady in diaphaneus white
"He is the Golden Calf of this year,
Lady Geraldine. You will soon know
him by sight. He is making his mark
in society. He has asked to be pre-
sented to you. Lady Umfreville, have
your permission"
The countess smiled a gracious con-
sent on Mr.. Rupert Paulet. She at once
abSOlved this pennileSS detrimental, who
had been hanging about her sacrificial
lamb too closely of late, for his past Of
lenses. 1t was such very desirable
matter to get hold of this millionaire
stockbrOker at an early part of his ca
reer.
Mr.. Optimus Codd in his own sphere
was man of mark. People in the city
pointed at him respectfully as the pos
SCISSOR of untold wealth; but it had only
recently entered the mind of this enter
priSing operator to make an effort to
enter fashionable society. This great
man-for he was very great in the
realms of stocks and 1.-THE things
that are always going up and
down in the city''-had re-
Gently purchased house in Mayfair,
where he gave mOStrecherche banQuets.
He had also cOntrived to be elected to
society was making inquiries about him,
and using every endeavor to substantiate
the rumors of his enormous wealth.
Doors could not be shut upon an abso-
lutte Cresus. In exterior the gentleman
who was the object of so many atten-
tons was not at all preposseSsing. IN
spite of Lady Umfrevllle's charitable
verdict. He had good natured, fat
face, with no salient features, and red
dish hair of a refractory nature. His
small gray eyes had, however, at times
singularly keen and acute regard.
Such eyes might fathom good deal of
humbug. he dressed well and wore no
jewelry, bearing the manner and voice
of gentleman. His discretion showed
itself in nothing more than in his ability
to keep silence about himself and others.
When Mr.. Codd slowly made his way
across the ball room toward the striking
group near the conservatory, he was the
object of many regards. After the
Hon. Rupert had presented his friend
in due form to the stately countess and
her lovely daughter, he remained few
minutes in conversation with the party,
finally offering his arm to convey her
ladyship to supper. She gave an
anxious backward look toward Lady
Geraldine and the handsome young
-1aan left near her. 1t was unavoidable;
the only thing to be done was to put her
wits together and make the most of the
present opportunity.
s'You have box at the opera, be-
lieve, Mr.. Codd. We are so anxious to
hear Patti on her first night"
This was an audaciOus opening, but
the countess being poor and widow,
never fiinched before an attempt of this
sort. 1t was her duty to make use of
rich acquaintances.
II shall be delighted if you will accept
my box for that evening"" was the nat
ural rejOinder from one unused to i'm
pecunious countesseS.
Lady Umfreville went away smiling
that evening, and thankfully felt that
her labor and Geraldine's new dress had
not been in vain.
Within a week Mr.. Optimus Codd had
been invited to partake of various small
very small-forms of hospitality at
Princes -gate. Little teas and light
luncheOns might bring young people to-
gether quite as advantageously as more
costly entertainments. Her ladyShip
was skilled matchmaker. Two daugh-
tiers had already been disposed of in
their first season. But this was now
Lady Geraldine'S second year in the
market. She was certainly more diff
cult to manage than the dOcile elder sis
tiers had been. Still Lady Umfreville
did not despair of settling her this sea-
son. June had only just begun. There
was a fourth girl coming in shortly.
room, though fully entitled to be
emancipated, and she was a spirited
young lady who might be more difficult
to control than all her predecessors.
"What is he like, Jerry? l mean the
city man that every one is talking about.
know mamma thinks you have capti-
waited him. You might bring him up to
the school-rOOm for my inspection some
day. Pretend you want to show him
your drawings.
81 should like to see a stock broker.
His name has very fiSh-like smell.
Fancy being Lady Geraldine COdd!
Does he look like a gentleman? Don't
you think you had better turn him over
to me, Jerry?"
Here the lively Lady Margaret began
dancing about the room. ashanti have
a fine time of it when / come out! l
mean to make up for being kept back a
year. You see, you must be out of the
way, Jerry. You are so very good
looking"
Lady Geraldine answered smiling:
'sDo be sensible, Maggie, and I'll tell
you all about Optimus COdd. Well, he's
rather fat and not got any particular ex-
preston, but / think he's very good
natured. really think like him, and
if A lovely blush rose to her face.
"If you hadn't fallen in love with
some one else, and if you were quite
sure Optimus COdd didn't want to marry
you. Don't you be the least bit gra-
cious to him or he'll say you gave him
encouragement. They always. do if
you are polite. But, Geraldine, advise
got next to nothing, and you can't marry
on love-"
Lady Geraldine tossed up her pretty
head. "YOu mind your own business,
Maggie. You're very disagreeable, and
l shan't tell you anything more about
any one meet"
In due course of time Mr.. COdd did
come to the school room to inpect Geral-
dimes drawings. Lady Margaret and
an antiquated German gOverness were
reading aloud.
II hope we are not interrupting. Mr..
COdd is very anxious to see my sketches,
Fraulein. This is my sister, Mr.. Codd."